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James Rodatus
I was diagnosed with ALS in the fall of 2013. Needless to say this devastating news. Fortunately, I had started doing stand up comedy in 2011, and I had become part of the Geek's Night of Comedy show. The show features comics who like to talk about comic books, video games, science fiction, and occasionally, actual science. The show has grown from it's small beginning at the Virginia Beach Funny Bone, to a force to be seen at science fiction conventions and comedy clubs. We've done several Virginia area cons, and this year we've done the DC and Orlando Improvs as well as the Richmond Funny Bone. Since the show's inception, we have always held a raffle to donate to charity. The founders of the show have always believed in using comedy as a way to give back and help those in need. Perhaps we just can't help but follow that super hero axiom of using our powers for good. The comics on the show have been some of the most supportive friends I've had throughout my ordeal with ALS. To that end, we've decided to make fighting ALS the fight for the Geek's Night of Comedy, and we will donate all of the show's charity proceeds to ALS research.

Comics often find humor in the most tragic circumstances, and an ALS diagnosis is right up there on the tragedy scale. I've found it cathartic and inspiring to talk about ALS on stage and make people laugh while doing it.

Aside from telling jokes about ALS, I'm also trying to help find a cure by participating in a stem cell clinical trial at Emory University. I've already had my first surgery, and I'm going back in for my second one on July 2nd. I certainly hope their research paves the way for a cure or treatment for ALS, and I'm sure Dr. Glass and his team will learn a lot through my experience in the trial.

If you'd like to hear more about my experiences with the trial, with comedy, and dealing with ALS, please check out my blog: www.laughingatdeath.com

-James

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